A MOTHER-of-two who walked out of stores with designer handbags worth up to £220,000 was jailed for 18 months yesterday.

Jayne Rand, 48, became more effective than professional shoplifting gangs when she strolled out with luxury bags slung over her shoulders, Newport Crown Court was told.

Jailing her, Judge Rhys Rowlands said: “You made a business of stealing and you must face the consequences.”

Earlier, prosecutor David Wooler said: “Her usual method was to go into the store without a bag, pick up one, walk around with it on her shoulder for a while, then walk out. No one, not even her husband, knew what she was doing.”

FOILED: House of Fraser security guards detected Rand's scam [ALAMY]

Not even her husband knew what she was doing

Prosecutor David Wooler

The business, run from her home near Swindon, Wiltshire, netted £88,000 on eBay. But it was brought to an end by two eagle-eyed security workers at a House of Fraser store in Cwmbran, South Wales.

Rand admitted stealing 905 handbags and four purses between 2009 and 2012 and converting criminal assets from 838 handbags. The court heard the thefts began after the family property firm ran into difficulty.